Big changes are coming to my life–in a week. My husband is retiring! He worked a decade after most people hang it up. But he loved his job, until he didn’t. Folks are very gracious and he is feeling the love. But both of us are treading softly, not sure what new patterns will develop. My friends have been issuing warnings and shakes of their heads with eye rolls when I tell them I don’t think it won’t be too different. Of course, there will be changes, but some habits have already be formed.

I liked that his job required a routine. His alarm clock made sure we were up and at it fairly early. (But not as early as a neighbor who runs at 4:30 am..what?). Dinner was soon after he returned home in the evening. Consistency reduces some decision making! He has already lined up two volunteer jobs; one on Monday morning to get the week started.

Each of us prepares our own breakfast and lunch and I only prepare dinner. This was our pattern even on Saturdays and his days off. That will continue.

Each of us are fortunate to have our own space..my sewing room and his office. Both are messy and unorganized to the untrained eye. But it keeps the common spaces neater and we don’t irate each other with our personal valuables!

My husband had the privilege of choosing when he retired. Many people did not have this luxury. Poor health, company downsizing, replacing expensive older employees with new hires, and pandemics have forced many to leave a career they enjoyed and needed. Starting over when one is over fifty is difficult. True, some folks have found a completely new employment path but it is not as common as we would like to believe. I am extremely grateful the decision to retire was his.

What am I looking forward to with this new lifestyle? Breakfast out occasionally instead of dinner. Not ironing so many dress shirts. Small day trips. Not helping with the lawn care. Some home improvement jobs. His helping with the Quilt Etc. Sale set up (he doesn’t know this yet!!!). So yes, I am very much looking forward to his retirement!

Quilters at First hear this clock ticking inside our brains–count down to September’s “First Friday at First” Quilt Exhibit and the Quilt Etc. Sale. We are gathering all our projects together. This week we received a treasure trove.

Folks, it is not that long to Halloween –and it is legal to put up Halloween decor anytime after Labor Day. This little guy amuses me…I feel his vibe.

12″ x 12″. $35. There is a hanging sleeve already sewn on the back.SOLD

New tea towels–pick your season. Each is $9 each

After we take down our Halloween decorations, some of us go directly to the Christmas holidays.

No room for a real or artificial tree in your home? This wall hanging could be your tree. Various shades and prints of green make up the pinwheels that form this one-dimensional tree. It is 28″ x 31″ and also has a hanging sleeve already sewn on the back. It is machine quilted. $50

Technically this table runner isn’t for the holidays–it would look good on your table all winter. In Kansas we really don’t see many snow people until January or February. 18.5″ x 33.5″. $40

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”–Know someone who loves this Christmas carol? The table runner is machine quilted in a hatch pattern and the binding is hand sewn. 13″ x 42″. $40

I finished the binding just in time to share the finished project this week. I am most please with the binding. The black stripes are the same “faded” black with hints of blue as the pieces in the quilt. It is square 68″ x 68″ , perfect for a single bed or to have one the back of a chair just in case you need to wrap up in a quilt. The backing is a multi rose colored floral. $160

When this quilt was fold up I wasn’t that impressed–but wow–look at it when it is hanging from the stair railing! I love the big bold design..a winning combination of solids and prints. The solid colors are all on the cool side of the color wheel and the prints contains all colors. The machine quilting softens the sharp angles of the pattern.

The fabric on the back has a mid-century feel. Look at those radios from the fifties and sixties!

The quilt is larger than many–68″ x 84″. $200

Janis makes one large appliquéd piece each year for our sale–in addition to the many smaller wall hanging, table runners etc. She finished in time for it to be the centerpiece of our first Art Crawl venture.

Ta Dah! Here it is! The pattern is “Tweets and Twinkles”. She made some adaptations to the pattern. She used bright batiks instead of the prints suggested and a zigzag stitch instead of the blanket stitch to appliqué the birds and florals. It is custom quilted perfectly…so many different machine quilting patterns were used. The feather stitch on the border frames the pieces so well!

Don’t these owls have an attitude?

How does she always choose the perfect fabrics? (see the machine quilting on this square?)

But this little robin is my favorite! The robin’s front is “robin-egg-blue”

The quilt is 50.5″ x 62.5″ . It took over six hours to custom quilt this piece. She can not even to begin to count the hours it took to copy the patterns, select the fabric from her stash and cut out the individual pieces (look the robins beck is a piece that need copied and cut out!) and to appliqué. This is a work of love. $500.

Come to the First Friday Art Crawl on September 5 to see this piece in person!

I drank my coffee from a cup from Urban Abbey; not sure why I have the cup, but the printed saying always reminds me of what is important.

Are you a list maker? Do you have a “To Do” list for errands and chores you want to complete in a day? Do you grocery shop with a list or do you travel the aisles looking for bargains and what looks good? Are most of your lists for the short term or do they reach out to the distant future–a “post- a-note” of what to pick up at the fabric store or a notebook filled with future home improvement plans?

List makers have different styles. Some of us use the back of a recycled envelopes to jot down our list, others use printed forms or templates found on the internet. Some of us sort of cheat and list chores we have already completed so we can mark off items immediately. Others would aghast of that practice!

Making lists is given credit for making one more organized and productive. Susanna Wesley, the mother of nineteen children including John and Charles Wesley the founders of the Methodist movement, organized her life with a weekly spreadsheet- an advanced “to do list”. This was in the 1700’s! Historical accounts tell us she was a very organized and productive woman.

But it takes time to make a list and there are always exceptions. My husband has a saved list on his computer of “what to pack and do before leaving for a trip”. I am usually finished packing before he is; I don’t often forget items, but I am usually more stressed!

I have just started making my grocery list on my phone. I know, I am old school. I still prefer writing out the list on paper but I had a terrible habit of leaving the paper on the kitchen counter. I seldom forget my phone — so the list is with me!

Traveling by plane or long road trips is the perfect time to make lists. During our last trip I made several lists. Since the Quilt Etc. Sale is only two months away I made lists of projects I want to finish, what decorations I need to find or buy, publicity ideas, people to contact etc. And in the meantime, there will be two First Friday Art Crawls in which we are participating, a Volunteer Fair/ Mission lunch, three sets of over night company, a Church Class social at our home, a retirement and the usual living life events! I am counting on those lists to help me be organized!

Many of the Quilters at First are beginning to complete their lists of projects for this year’s sale. Of course, most of us just keep adding to the list!

I did finish the hand sewing the binding on MaggiePearl.

The quilt measures 60″ x 80″ and is machine quilted side to side in an abstract geometric design.

The pieced backing and the binding is the same batik fabric that was used in the front. No new fabric was used! $175

Elaine entered this sail boat quilt in the Harvey County fair and won a blue ribbon!

The backing is a soft polyester fleece with embossed hearts. A great choice for a toddler or child’s bed. (Yikes I forgot to note the size and cost– will be added next week)

Are you a Shocker fan? Here is the perfect quilt to show your allegiance to WSU.

The machine quilting is a Wheat pattern–very Shocker-like!! The backing is a solid black. 56″ x 76″. $150. -I wouldn’t count on this being in the sale–I have a feeling it will be in someone’s home before the middle of October.

We are so grateful for “friends of Quilters at First” who donate to our sale. Lorra E. who attends First United Methodist via KAKE TV, is a quilter. She dropped this beauty off Wednesday. How did she know we needed Christmas items for the sale?

Traditional Christmas colors with traditional florals prints were used. The binding is sewn with the serpentine stitch. (Why do my photos always capture the only loose thread on the quilt?) The 46.5″ x 56.5″ throw is $75.

These coasters or mug rugs are “simply” charming. The ecru muslin is a perfect match to the 30’s reproduction prints used for the flowers. Each back is a different reproduction print. The set of 4 is $20.

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Traditional holiday red and green fabrics were used but in darker shades, creating a more sophisticated holiday table runner. The machine quilting in the border is an elegant frame for the piece.

15″ x 33″ $40

Do you party on the 17th of March? It has been said that everyone is a little bit Irish on that day. This 16″ x 36″ table runner is even quilted in a shamrock pattern! $40

If Halloween is your thing, this table runner would be perfect on your dinning or hall table.

Colors in the batik backing match the colors of the candy houses. The reverse side would look great by itself or with a vase of bright fall flowers. It is 14.5″ x 41″, $40.

Who doesn’t need this reminder? The table runner or wall hanging is perfect for the transition between summer and fall. The letters are a deep brown, the background an aqua “grunge”. 15.5″ x 32.5″—appliquéd by our Janis, of course! $75.

You might mistake this tote for a Vera Bradly–but it was made by Elaine! The bag is quilted and lined and has a zipper closing. The front pocket is also quilted. The bag is large enough to hold your lap top and the padding gives extra protection. $40

Add these events to your “fun things to do” list

✏️First Friday Art Crawl at FUMC on Sept. 5 at 6 pm

✏️First Friday Art Crawl at FUMC on Oct. 3 at 6 pm

✏️Quilts Etc. Sale, Oct 16, noon to 6 pm, OCT 17, 10 am to 5 pm, Oct 18, 9 am to 1 pm

Remember, all these items are for sale now. Also, I will ship anywhere in the US for the cost of postage.

I have a love of vintage quilts. I want to know their stories–Why did the quilter choose to make that quilt? Did she (probably a she) fall in love with a particular pattern? Was it a solo endeavor or a “quilt bee” quilt? Was the fabric purchased especially for that quilt? Or was the fabric leftovers from garments and household items? Was it made for a special occasion–wedding or was it utilitarian-to help keep the family warm. Was it her first quilt or was it one of many? Sometimes I am lucky and learn a bit of the history.

This grand old lady was given to Quilters At First by a church family. The husband’s grandmother made it probably in the 1930’s. She was a Kansas Mennonite farm wife and mother. This period of history was not easy especially for Kansas farmers –economically or climate wise. Electricity and modern plumbing has not reached most rural areas. Meals were from gardens and farm lots. These “stay-at-home” mothers were some of hardest working homemakers in history. But somehow time was found to make beauty. Given the sun damage in the middle of the quilt, I would guess it was used as a bedspread or coverlet.

The piecing is near perfect…sharp points and matched seams. And there are curves! This wasn’t her first rodeo.

But it is the hand stitching in the four corner blocks that stole my heart. How many nights did she work on just this one square. It is a large quilt, 80″ x 100″. Months must have been spent piecing and quilting? Did she do it alone or did her friends gather around a quilting frame visiting as they quilted?

Just wish I knew more—-

The good news is that is going to a “good home” that appreciates it’s value.

No new finished quilts, but here is a peek of three newbies just back from the long arm quilters.

Another MaggiePearl quilt–this time out of batiks and various black fabrics. We had challenged ourselves to at least one quilt in the sale that was from the stash of fabrics in the quilt room. This is mine. These batiks are from the family of one of the original Quilters at First quilters. In these photos the binding is sewn on but needs to be folded over and hand sewn. It is 64″ x 72″ and you really must see it is person–the colors are so much vibrant than what I captured.

Those are my husbands hands doing quilt hanging duty on our deck-

I copied this scrappy quilt idea from a quilt made by Rachel Hauser who writes STITCHED IN COLOR. I used 2.5″ squares instead of 2″ x 3″ rectangles and sawtooth stars instead of friendship stars–what I had and what I like to make! The teal stashing rescues it from being an ordinary scrappy quilt. It is a square quilt–72″ x 72″. Sad news–I still have hundreds of 2.5″ squares in the bin.

The last quilt is made from a layer cake bought during the COVID lockdown with a very ambitious plan for it. Didn’t happen.

But I think these soft floral and blenders work well in the simple throw pattern. The backing is a pink floral in various shades. The machine quilting is what makes this quilt special. I tell the long arm quilter to pick what ever quilting pattern she thinks would work well. Glad she experimented with this new design.

We will be participating in Wichita’s First Friday Art Crawl in September and October. If you have not been, it is fun evening visiting art galleries, pubs and studios in the downtown and art district. We will be showing twenty quilts in the narthex of First United Methodist. Homemade cookies and tea/lemonade will be shared. Lots of free parking is just outside our AB entrance or you may park on Broadway. We are looking forward to showing off our fiber art pieces. Hope you make it September 5 or October 3 or both!

I spent last week in NOVA–Northern Virginia, visiting my daughter and son-in-law. Have you been there? It is an area of contrasts. There are many, many large buildings that house corporations and national headquarters of groups you would recognize.

A majority of the family housing are condos, large apartment complexes and row homes.

The population is very dense–approximately 1,000 more people per square mile than Wichita, KS., but there are “green spaces” built into most of the developments. One such park and storm water reservoir was very close to my daughter’s home.

Bandit, my grand-dog, enjoys walks in woods by their home where deer and fox have been seen.

The frogs sang to us, no matter the time of day–

We did our touristy things in western Maryland this time. Fredericks, MD, is an old city, used as a medical center during the Civil War. It also has the C & O Canal and a fun little quilt shop. So, in consideration of my fabric diet, I only bought four yards of “on sale” fabric to make placemats.

Another trip was to Cumberland, MD to ride the Western Maryland Excursion train up into the mountains. The round trip to Frostburg took about 4 hours and it had more great views of rural Maryland.

Someday I want to explore more of this part of Maryland.

What were my Quilty Friends up to while I was playing tourist? Finishing up new projects for the sale!

Kathy was thinking autumn also. This piece could be used on the back of a sofa or at the foot of a bed as well as on the table. The backing fabric is a fall print also. I will have the measurements next week..promise! The machine quilting is a floral pattern. $45

Although it almost reached 100 degrees yesterday, we know that fall and winter nights will be here in a few months. And what is better for those chilly evenings than a cozy flannel quilt?

If you look closely, the machine quilting pattern is an oak leaf. The quilt measures 60″ x 64″ –just right for your recliner or the sofa. $175. Do you have “a difficult to buy a present for” dad or husband–this would work!!!

And quickly following autumn is the Holidays. This little 23″ tree skirt would be so pretty under one of your small trees. $40

Scrappy but not “busy”. The quilt is large; 64″ x 80″. Check out the machine quilting. The backing would make a pretty cover in the summer. $200

This quilt pattern was designed for just three yards of fabric! The three yards made a very usable size quilt–64″ x 70″.

Did you see the star inside each of machine quilted swirls? The binding has the faux piping. $175

Are you in the market for new placemats? Pauline brought in four sets of four placemats.

There are two set of these “chefs with attitude” print The edges are serged. Four coasters are also included. 11″ x 16″. $40 per set of four.

This is the print used on all eight of the placemats.

This set of four placemats definitely has a southwestern theme. The fabric used on both sides could be straight from Arizona or New Mexico. The placemats measure 12″ x 18″. $40 for the set of four.

The other set of four placemats is in a darker color way of the same print. The backing is the same print on both sets. The coordinating binding is machine sewn.

Our cabinets and shelves are crammed full of finish projects. And we have three more months to sew! We would love to make room for all those new projects. Great prices for handmade quality items made right here for worthy causes.

What is the difference between “recycling” and “upcycling”? Both are good–but they are two very different methods of waste management. We are familiar with recycling–we automatically throw cereal boxes or soda cans in the recycle bin. . Recycled bottles, etc. are sorted and eventually broken down to their raw form for remanufacturing. I have tights made from recycled plastic bottles and our deck flooring is a composite of recycled wood and recycled plastic that required mass-processing. The aim of recycling is to keep the value by regenerating an old product.

So what is “Upcycling”? It is defined as the “reuse of discarded objects or materials in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original”. Usually upcycling is done by individuals with little processing and a lot of creativity. And by less processing, less energy is used. The aim of up cycling is to add value by repurposing an old product.

I have written quite a bit about using scraps to make quilts and that I am on a fabric diet. The quilters are planning on having a “galley” of quilts at the sale made entirely from our stash in our effort to keep fabric out of the landfill.

All these were made by from scraps or left overs. This is not new; most of the quilts made by our grandmothers and great grandmothers were from scraps.

But this week I worked on a different “up cycling” project. I cut or torn 2 or 1.5 inch strips from old sheets and out of style fabric; sewed them together and rolled them in to very tight balls.

I packed them into a “Chewy” box as close as I could and shipped them to San Antonio.

My brother uses a very thick crochet hook to make very sturdy and long lasting rugs. See the strip being used? I bought it when we had a vineyard (over 20 years ago) and I had some notion of making something wine related. Didn’t happen. This is a better use.

Sheets that were not candidates for re-sale in a thrift store were rescued by Elaine to be upcycled–their value has increased!

I have several of these rugs in my home.

One is outside the deck door. It has been left outside for several years and washed over and over. Still looks great and is heavy enough to stay put in the fierce winds we have been experiencing.

(This is not the composite deck floor!

We have “upcycled’ rugs for sale–you may purchase one now or wait for the October Sale.

What do we have new to offer this week–new or upcycled?

Of course, there are new tea towels! $9 each

Why should cardinals get all the glory? Blue jays add a beautiful flash of color to the outdoors. This table topper or wall hanging is 20″ x 20″. The quilting is a cross hatch. $30

You cannot prepare for the winter holidays too early– these two table runners would be a great addition to your Christmas decorations.

Appliquéd trees grace both ends of the 13″ x 30″ table runner. This is a good size for a coffee table as well as the dining table. It is machine quilted “in the ditch”. $40

Various holiday prints in red and green were made into half square triangles to create this pattern. The white background is white on white snowflakes. It is machine quilted and hand bound. The backing would serve as a cheerful scene setter also. 14″ x 30″ $40

The block is “Bow Tie”. The darker 30’s and 40’s reproduction fabric were used to form the bow ties.

The backing is also a depression era reproduction fabric. The table topper measures 21″ x 21″. Machine quilted and hand bound. Washable. $40

And we have two new quilts–

Coffee and teal? Chocolate and turquoise? Whatever, it is a winning combination in a multitude of prints. The quilt is machine quilted in a large swirling pattern. A good size for a child’s bed or for napping under-52″ x 62″. $125

I am fascinated how colors are combined; how various prints can be pulled together by adding just one focus fabric. The inner border stripe on this quilt is the focal point. The quilt is 62″ x 75″. The larger quilting pattern allows the quilt to drape well. The backing is a medium size floral print. $150

I will continue both to recycle and to upcycle–but in my opinion, it is much more interesting and creative to upcycle. I want to get into the habit of looking at something that has served its original purpose and come up with an entirely new reason for its being.

I used information from the EcoCation site.

Sometimes life gets in the way of quilting. Anniversary trips to Europe, graduations, family health and medical issues–we have had them all! And it is summer time-

Plus at times, quilts at the long arm quilters just have to wait their turn in the queue to be machine quilted. Not very many new finished projects to show you today. But I will be showing you behind the scenes of “soon to be finished” items.

We are “up cycling” bags–those you get if you send a donation or shop at certain stores. Perfectly great canvas bags–but with a logo or script on one side. How many bags does one person need? So Diane is creating “quilt” bags.

Pretty nifty! Strong enough to carry a load and they identify a quilt lover! $10 each.

Another tea towel–in red work. This very friendly snowman is $9…a great gift!

Can you ever have too many table runners? No! Changing the table runner is a quick way to decorate for the season.

Flying geese in sweet pastel colors give off a spring feel. The table runner is approximately 16″ x 40″(guess who forgot to make notes) and is $40. It is machine quilted, machine washable and hand bound.

Remember this quilt?

Well, if you really enjoy making the pumpkin and maple leaf blocks and end up with three extra–you make a table runner.

Great idea!! The runner is machine piece, machine quilted and machine washable. The binding is hand sewn. The backing is the same as the border. $40

Want to see “behind the scenes”? Projects before they are polished and ready for you to purchase? The following is what we were working on last Wednesday.

Elaine is working with half square triangles in bright complimentary colors. She needs to spend a lot of time at the ironing board with this pattern. A good iron is as important as a good sewing machine.

Quilters fall into two camps–they find hand binding an enjoyable task or they don’t like the time it takes and avoid it, finding other methods to finish the quilt edges. Susan is finishing a holiday quilt with a binding that matches the backing.

Vicki is using a design board to arrange all those 2.5″ squares for one block in the “huge” quilt she is making–36 blocks? Notice—piecing takes fuel. I took these photos during the afternoon coffee break.

Can you guess what this is going to be? Look closely at the pattern.

The blue and white combination is ageless–and works year round. Judy chose these fabrics from our stash. The seam ripper might give you a hint how things are going.

Janis — the appliqué expert–is making wall hanging for autumn. So much work to be done before the actual appliquéing. As you can tell, we have an assortment of paper napkins for our use…

My holiday table runner certainly needs pressing before it is quilted.

Another blue and white table runner–Shirley is still searching for “bird eyes”…tiny black buttons she will sew on after she machine quilts it.

And folks, none of this gets done without fuel! We share with visitors, so if you are ever in the building, stop by and see what we are working on and enjoy a cup of coffee and a treat!